Domaine Jean Grivot

Etienne Grivot succeeded his father, Jean, in 1987, and today presides over 15 hectares of vines spread accross Nuits, Vosne, Vougeot and Echézeaux. This is one of the modern-day, benchmark Burgundian domaines. The estate’s densely-planted old vines (the average age is 40 years old) produce naturally-low yields and, together with Etienne’s organic approach to viticulture and sensitive winemaking, result in vivid, pure, very well-balanced Burgundies. The wines are much more softly extracted than when Etienne first started, the winemaking is incredibly flexible, depending on the vintage, but usually only 5% of stalks are retained, and rarely more than a third of the barrels are new. Daughter Mathilde and son Hubert have committed to working at the Domaine and have taken on more responsibility from Etienne since 2017, so the estate's future seems secure. A reference point Burgundy Domaine.

2017 Vintage

The Grivots tend to prefer longer vegetative cycles, so they began harvesting on the 12th September in 2017; up until then they found that the grape skins had still been showing signs of greenness. Because berries were so healthy and there was no sign of rot they had the luxury of waiting for what they felt was optimum ripeness. Etienne describes the season as dry but harmonious, finishing with good harvest conditions and as result there was little or no “triage” needed. A very Burgundian, delicate, fluid year at this Domaine. Wines that demonstrate the sort of elegance we have come to expect from Etienne, Mathilde and Hubert Grivot. Etienne sums up 2017 as “having great precision and drinkability, these wines are flattering now but I think they will age well.”

2018 Vintage

Domaines often benefit from youthful dynamism and a fresh perspective, qualities Mathilde Grivot has brought to the estate since taking over the reins with her brother. Better still, though, when you have the benefit of experience behind you as well, as Mathilde has with her father Etienne. Feeling the year was warm and fast-growing, Etienne counselled later ploughing to “slow the year down.” What followed was one of the warmest and driest years on record. The vines grew and grapes ripened at pace. Etienne was concerned not to get swept up in the rush and pick too early. The vital element in 2018, as far as he was concerned, was ensuring berries were picked when tannins were ripe. This meant picking began here on 11th September, by which time Etienne felt not only were berries fully ripe but they had concentrated, too, which resulted in improving the ratio of acidity to juice as well as sugars and tannins. This is a vintage of strength and substance at Domaine Grivot, less airy and ethereal than recent vintages but they don’t lack for freshness and flaunt the most outrageously velvety textures.